Biofuels Production From Nonedible Bio-oils

Various efforts to develop biofuels from renewable biomass have been explored. Biofuels made through transesterification processes have the following drawbacks: (1) high freezing point (2) poor cold flow properties (3) poor thermal oxidation stability. Fischer Tropsch chemistry for biomass conversion involves too many unit operations and is cost intensive. Furthermore, conversion of oils from food crops into transportation oils will deplete the food supply. A new approach to biofuel production from non-edible oils is needed. Luna Innovations Incorporated proposes a novel biofuel production process by combining catalytic depolymerization and catalytic hydroprocessing into only a few simple unit operations. The process is not dependent on the feedstock. Glycerides from non-edible oil, waste kitchen oil and grease, cellulose and lignins from biomass, algae cake, plastics waste, animal processing waste and sewage can be used as the biofuel conversion feedstock. The process will be more cost effective and energy efficient.